Grain dryer



Jan. 16, 1962 E. L. KOMPUS 3,016,626

GRAIN DRYER Filed Sept. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Emery L. Kompus INVENTOR.

BY 401% If E. L. KOMPUS GRAIN DRYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1958 I m u S n w n m 7!.

m L m E W N mm 9 ms om ms mm mm l l I I C C C Clfi United States Patent 3,016,626 GRAIN DRYER Emery L. Kompus, Herndon, Kans. Filed Sept. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 760,145 4 Claims. (Cl. 34-482) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in farm equipment, and more specifically to an improved grain dryer.

When grain is to be stored, it is necessary that the grain be dry otherwise when subjected to heat and poor air circulation during storage, the grain will rot.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a simple grain dryer which may be readily used for the purpose of assuring the proper moisture content in grain being stored.

When grain is being stored in granaries and the like, it is necessary that it be transferred from wagons or other grain carriers and elevated into granaries. In order to accomplish this, there are utilized conveyors, the conveyors being primarily of the auger type. It is therefore another object of this invention to provide a grain elevator or conveyor, the grain elevator being provided with a dryer whereby the grain is automatically heated and dried while being elevated into a storage area.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved grain dryer and grain elevator combination, the combined grain dryer and elevator including an elevator of the type which has an elongated tubular housing in which there is mounted for rotation an auger type conveyor, there being mounted on'the housing adjacent the grain entrance end thereof a dryer, the dryer including a heater and a blower, the blower forcing air through the heater where such air is heated after which the heated air passes through the housing with the grain so that the excess moisture carried by the grain is removed therefrom during the elevating thereof.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved combined grain dryer and elevator, the combined grain dryer and elevator including a heater and a blower for forcing hot air through the elevator so that grain passing through the elevator when being elevated for storage purposes is automatically dried, the blower being so mounted whereby it maybe readily removed and utilized for other purposes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combined grain elevator and dryer, the combined grain elevator and dryer including an elongated conveyor of the auger type which includes a tubular housing having an auger mounted therein for moving grain therethrough, the auger being of the portable type and having mounted on the housing thereof a heater and blower for heating air and forcing said heated air through the housing, and there being provided a fuel supply which may be readily attached to the heater for supplying the necessary heat These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompartying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the combined grain elevator and dryer and shows the same attached to the rear of a tractor to be drawn thereby;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the combined grain elevator and dryer and shows further the relationship thereof with respect to a tractor;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and shows the specific details of the elevator in the vicinity of the heater and shows further the specific details of the heater and blower;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIGURE 3 and shows further the de tails of the heater and blower;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 and shows the specific details of the heater;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of FIGURE 3 and shows the specific de tails of an air intake unit for controlling the flow of air to the blower; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIGURE 1 and shows the specific de tails of an exhaust unit for exhausting air from the grain elevator after it has been used to heat and dry the grain.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the combined grain elevator and dryer which is the subject of this invention, the grain elevator and dryer being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The grain elevator and dryer 1G includes a frame which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12. The frame 12, as is best shown in FIGURE 5, includes a pair of longitudinally extending, spaced parallel frame members 14 which are of channel shape and have their lower ends connected together by a plate 16. The frame members 14, as is best shown in FIGURE 2, do not extend the full length of the grain elevator and dryer. The frame 12 also includes a wheel assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 18. The wheel assembly 18 includes an axle 20 which has mounted on opposite ends thereof wheels 22. Secured to outer portions of the axle 20 and extending forwardly therefrom in converging relation are supports 24. The forward ends of the supports 24 are connected to the underside of the plate 16 as at 26.

Extending upwardly from the axle Zil at one side of the frame members 14 is a standard 28. The standard 28 is braced by suitable diagonal braces 30' which extend upwardly from the outer portions of the axle 20. The standard 28 has mounted on the lower portion thereof a winch 32 on which there is reeled a line 34. The line 34 extends upwardly from the winch 32, over a pulley 36 at the upper end of the standard 28 and downwardly therefrom the lower end thereof being connected to one of the frame members 14. By operating the winch 312, the frame 12 may be disposed at the desired angle.

Carried by the frame 12 is a conveyor unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 38. The conveyor unit 38 includes an elongated tubular housing 49 which is disposed between upper portions of the frame members 1 4, as is best shown in FIGURE 5, and which is suitably secured thereto. The housing 40 is of a length whereby it extends forwardly of the frame 12 and a considerable distance rearwardly of the frame 12. Suitably journalled within the housing 40 is a conveyor element in the form of a screw-type conveyor 42 which includes a driveshaft 44. The driveshaft 44 extends out through the forward end of the housing, as is best shown in FIGURE 2. The extreme forward end of the housing 28 is closed and this forward end serves as a suitable support for the driveshaft 44.

Formed in the housing 49 adjacent the forward end thereof is an enlarged grain inlet opening 46. The grain inlet opening 46 is disposed in the top part of the housing 40 whereby grain, such as grain 48 may be delivered thereto from a spout 50. The spout 50 may be connected to any desired type of grain storage device or grain transporting device. The rear end of the housing 40 is open as at 52 to facilitate the delivery of grain therefrom.

The combined grain elevator and dryer it? is normally hauled by means of a conventional farm tractor which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 54. The forward end of the housing 40 has secured thereto a suitable hitch member 56 which is used for the purpose of connecting the combined grain elevator and dryer to the rear of the tractor 54 for transportation thereby.

Mounted on the forward end of the housing 40 is a power unit 58 which may either be an electric motor, as illustrated, or a small internal combustion engine. A pulley 57 on the drive shaft 44 is coupled to a drive pulley 59 of the power unit 58 by a drive belt 61.

In order that grain passing through the housing 40 may be dried, there is mounted on a forward portion of the housing 48 a dryer which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 62. Associated with the heater or dryer 62 for forcing air therethrough is a blower which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 64.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4 in particular, it will be seen that the heater 62 includes a generally rectangular housing 66 which has spaced parallel side walls 68 whose lower edges are secured to the housing 40, as is best shown in FIGURE 5. The upper ends of the side walls 68 are connected together by a top wall 70. The forward end of the housing66 is formed by an upwardly and rearwardly sloping front wall 72. The rear end of the housing 66 is closed by a rear end wall 74. The rear end wall 74 terminates short of the housing 40 and has connected thereto a low extension 76 of the housing 66.

Carried by the rear end wall 74 and projecting into the interior of the housing 66 is a heater which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 78. The heater 78 includes a tubular member 80 which has a forward portion thereof extending through one of the side walls 68, as is best shown at 82 in FIGURE 4. The rear end of the member 80 extends through the rear end wall 74 as at 84. Mounted in the rear end of the member 80 is a fuel injection nozzle 86. Suitable openings are provided as at 88 in the rear portion of the member 80 to supply air to the interior thereof. Connected to the fuel injection nozzle 86 is a fuel supply line 90 which is in turn connected to a fuel container 92. The fuel container 92 is preferably in the form of bottled gas.

Disposed immediately forwardly of the heater 62 is the blower 64. The blower 64 includes a housing 96 in which there is mounted impeller 98 carried by a shaft 100. The blower housing 90 is removably secured to the forward end wall 72 by a plurality of bolts 100. The housing 96 is communicated with the interior of the housing 60 by means of an air passage 102 formed in the front end wall 72. The blower 64 is also mounted on the housing 40 bymeans ofsuitable support brackets 104 and 106 which are coupled together by means of re- ,movable fasteners 108.

It is understood that by removably mounting the blower 64 the blower 64 may be readily removed from the heater 62 and the housing 40 and thus be utilized for other purposes when it is not desired to utilize the heater 62. This is particularly desirable inasmuch as there are many uses for a blower, such as the blower 64, about a farm.

In order that the blower 64 may be driven, there is provided an electric motor 110 which is mounted on the housing 40' as at 112 forwardly of the blower 64. The motor 110 includes an armature shaft 114 on which there is mounted a drive pulley 116. The drive pulley 116 is aligned with a driven pulley 118 carried by the blower shaft 100. Entrained over the pulley 116 and 118 and connecting the two together in driving relation ,is the drive belt 120.

In order that the operation of the blower 64 may be controlled, there is provided a switch box which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 122. The switch box .122 is disposed in the electrical circuit for the motor 110 and thus may be used to control the energization of the motor 110.

Mounted on the housing forwardly of the motor 110 and rearwardly of the grain inlet opening 46 is an air intake unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 124. The air intake unit 124 includes a housing 126 which is generally rectangular in outline, as is best shown in FIGURE 6. The housing 126 includes a pair of side walls 128 which have their lower edges connected to the housing 40 and upper edges are connected together by a top wall 130. The forward end of the housing 126 is open and the rear end thereof is closed by rear end wall 132.

Extending from the top wall 130 adjacent the rear end thereof is an air supply duct 134. The air supply duct 134 terminates at the blower 64 and opens into the interior of the blower housing 96 through the air inlet opening 135 thereof, as is best shown in FIGURE 4. Thus air entering into the housing 126 will be drawn into the air supply duct 134 before it is drawn into the blower 64.

It is desired that a certain percentage of the air entering into the housing 40 be drawn forwardly so as to increase the grain drying operation. In order to accomplish this, the housing 40 is formed in the upper portionthereof in alignment with the housing 126 with a plurality of air return openings 136. In order that the air drawn into the air return openings 136 may be controlled, there isprovided a valve member 138. The valve member 138 is vertically adjustably supported by suitable hangers 140 carried by the top wall 130, as is best shown in FIGURE 6. Thus the desired quantity of return air and fresh air is mixed in the housing 126 and delivered to the blower 64. In order that heated air from the heater 62 may enter into the housing 40, there is formed in the upper portion of the housing 40 in alignment with the housing 66 or the heater 62 a plurality of apertures or heated air'inlet openings 142. The openings 142 are numerous and so positioned that the desired quantity of air is supplied to the grain passing through the housing 40.

At this time it is pointed out that the member extends forwardly of the heater 62 and opens into the blower 64, as is best shown in FIGURE 4. Thus the exhaust gases from the heater 62 are delivered to the blower 64 and such exhaust gases are circulated through the housing 40 to further dry the grain.

Inasmuch as the heated air will absorb the moisture in the grain passing through the housing 40, it is desirable that the heated air be removed from the housing 40 while it is still sufficiently warm to retain this moisture content. For that reason, there is formed on the housing 40 forwardly of the grain discharge openings 52 an exhaust unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 144. The exhaust unit 144 is in the form of an elongated rectangular housing 146 which has an open top and an open bottom, the bottom of the housing 146 being in the form of an elongated opening 148 formed in the housing 40. The upper end of the housing 146 is closed by a screen 150 to prevent the escape of grain.

In addition to the heater 62, there is provided a second heater 152. The second heater 152 is defined by the frame members 14 and the plate 16. The ends of the heater 152 are closed by end plates 154, such as that shofn in FIGURE 3.

Extending through the housing of the heater 152 is an elongated burner pipe 156. The burner pipe 156' underlies the housing 40 of the auger 38 and is provided with a plurality of nozzles 158. If desired, the nozzles 158 may be eliminated and openings merely drilled into the pipe 156.

The burner pipe 156 is supported at spaced intervals by brackets 160 extending upwardly from the plate 16. Also, the opposite ends of the burner pipe 156 are closed by means of end caps 162.

As is best shown in FIGURE 5, the burner pipe 156 is provided intermediate its ends with a coupling 164 by means of which a gas supply pipe 166 is connected to the burner pipe 156. The gas supply pipe 16-6 is connected to the supply 90 by means of a T-fitting 168, as is best shown in FIGURE 2.

It is to be understood that inasmuch as the heater 152 extends along the underside of the housing 40 through a major portion of the length thereof, a large amount of heat Will be transferred through the housing 48 to the grain passing therethrough. This heat, together with the heat from the heater 78 will be sufiicient to properly dry the grain.

Although the present invention is intended primarily to control the moisture of the grain prior to being stored, it has the definite advantage by doing so in that the grain may be harvested early in the morning and late at night at which time the grain is normally too damp to store. By so doing, additional harvest time is provided at such time when working time is scarce.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been devised a grain elevator which is provided With a heater, which heater is so mounted on a conventional type of grain elevator whereby it will supply the desired air to the interior of the grain elevator housing and grain circulated through the housing is sufficiently heated during its passage through the housing whereby excess moisture is removed therefrom. The heater is of such a construction whereby the operation of the elevator as such is in no way deterred.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A combined grain dryer and conveyor, comprising an elongated housing having a grain inlet at one end and a grain outlet at the other end thereof, a conveyor member extending longitudinally in said housing, an elongated heater chamber mounted exteriorly and longitudinally on the intermediate portion of the housing, said intermediate portion of the housing being provided with longitudinally extending rows of air opennigs communicating with said heater chamber, a blower connected to the heater chamber for forcing air therethrough and through said openings into the housing, and an air intake chamber provided on the housing in communication with the atmosphere and with said blower, the grain inlet end portion of the housing being provided with an air passage communicating wtih said intake chamber, whereby only a portion of the volume of air entering said blower may be recirculated from said housing.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 together with air exhaust means provided on the grain outlet end portion of said housing separate from the outlet end thereof.

3. A combined grain dryer and conveyor, comprising an elongated housing having a grain inlet at one end and a grain outlet at the other end thereof, a conveyor member extending longitudinally in said housing, an elongated heater chamber provided exteriorly on the intermediate portion of the housing, said intermediate portion of the housing being provided with longitudinally extending rows of air openings communicating with said heater chamber, a heater element provided in said heater chamber, a blower mounted on the housing and communicating with said heater chamber for forcing air therethrough and through said openings into said housing, an air intake chamber provided exteriorly on the grain inlet end portion of the housing and communicating with the atmosphere, and an air duct extending from said intake chamber to said blower, the grain inlet end portion of the housing being provided with air passages communicating with said intake chamber, whereby only a portion of the volume of air entering said blower may be recirculated from said housing.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 wherein the grain outlet end portion of said housing is provided with an elongated air exhaust passage extending longitudinally thereof, and a screen guard provided in said passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 134,659 Gibbs et al Jan. 7, 1873 603,612 Snyder et al. May 3, 1898 1,301,409 Du Pont Apr. 22, 1919 2,012,115 Woodrufi Aug. 20, 1935 2,035,716 Peek Mar. 31, 1936 2,571,143 Leslie Oct. 16, 1951 2,795,054 Bowen June 11, 1957 2,887,788 Baxter May 26, 1959 

